Houghton Lake

[craig]

In the next few weeks ill be headnig back up here to mount pleasant during my winter break. Me and some friends want to try to ice fish out on houghton for perch and maybe some wallyey also. I have never fished the lake before and was wondering if anyone could share a few spots to start and where we should park. Will will probly have 2-3 shanties and a 4 wheeler so we are willing to move around a bit. Thanks for the help. Anyone can email me at Lehma1ce@cmich.edu if they do not wish to post specif spots.

[Banditto]

Well I know where there are perch fields, but as for walleye that I can't say for certain. What is nice about Houghton Lake is anywhere there is a road that dead ends onto the lake which can be found in the small subdivisions that surround the resort areas, those roads are access onto the lake. You can park in front of the cottages unless posted otherwise. Most of them are summer cottages anyhow. We usually go in the subdivision north of Funtime (with the ferris wheel--can't miss it) and out. At that point M-55 runs mostly N-S, but just where it starts to curve west you will start seeing a subdivision along the lake. Fishing there the shore will be mostly N-S and about 400 yards off shore if you use sonar you will see a deeper rift. When you find the 17-20ft water you are in it. There are usually a lot of people there.

Now again instead of going north of Funtime (notice I use the ferris wheel as a landmark) there is a subdivision of cottages that is called the Village--also fishing out in front of Lymans on the Lake resort is at the upper end of this spot. Going in there you are also near where the Tip-Up town park is. Anywhere off the shore 100-200 yards is a prime weed bed. There are areas of 6ft-12ft that are hot for a mixed bag. You always see a shanty town there.

I have been going to Houghton Lake so long I know more people there than I do where I live downstate...

[Houghton laker]

Will be going to Houghton lake this weekend to get in some first ice walleye jigging!! Should be plenty of ice since I hear they already have 3in. as of Tuesday. will be trying mostly for walleyes but sometimes as it gets dark the crappies can really turn on! A lantern is a must! Will give a report Sunday night or Mon morning on my results.

[gottafish]

Hey HoughtonLaker, maybe I'll see you out there, I'll be up with my son and two of his buddies and we plan to fish in your area near the aipport sat. afternoon and evening...then on east bay sun morn...black sno-boat shanty, blaze orange camo coat, fish on the ice.....

[Houghton laker]

Hey Gottafish, I will be out there with my son,depending on the ice conditions I will probably be fishing right out from or cottage which is about 1/4 mile south of flint rd. We will probably be in a Blue 2-man fish trap.we only need to go out about 200-300yds. to be at a drop-offof 5ft.-8ft.. can usualy pick up some walleyes and pike there! some good crappie action can be had at times also!..don't fish there quit as much as other spots but if we have to walk...that is as good as spot as any.

[craig]

Thanks for the info guys. I will be up there in the next few weeks. When I go ill be sure to post and maybe we can meet up. i am expecting my new frabill shanty in the next couple days so im geekd to get out. it sounds like most of you fish for walleye, is there good populations of perch n the lake? or mainly walleye and pike?

[Banditto]

Houghton Laker, where exactly is Flint road in relation to the lake? I can't say I recall that road name??? I would be interested in hearing where you fish. I believe it is the SW corner closer to Prudenville? There is a deep rift running along the shore for miles, is that it? Or way on the north end?

Do you guys ever fish for TUT?

[gottafish]

Flint rd is by the ne corner of the lake, not far from Markey(?) airport...houghton laker, I got some really nice crappies out there late Feb this past yr, should be a good year.....

[Houghton laker]

you've got it Gottafish, flint rd is on the north side of the lake, it connects houghton lake to Higgins lake. Off the end of Flint rd. is a public acess point where many people enter onto the ice...straight out from there you can find many people pike fishing during the day and then some walleye into the night! this is the location where you can find a break from 5ft. to 12 ft. and lots of weeds....this is the PRIME crappie spot after dark with a lantern and a flasher if you have one! sometimes the crappies are all suspended and the flasher really helps to locate the depth of them!...will be at the spikehorn bar fri. night with the wife and son to have a fish dinner. sat. will be getting my shanties down from the rafters and getting them loaded up for the evening fish....I usually don't go out to fish till about 4:00 but will be out earlier locating the drop off to find or spot! Would be nice to meet some of you guys up there! I'm usualy up there at least every other weekend..we will have to meet up and do some fishin!